Combined controller and circuit-breaker.



PATENTED NOV. 26, 1907.

No. 872.154. w. M. scam commmn CONTROLLER AND cmcurr BREAKER.

APPLIOATIOH TILED APR. 9. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED NOV. 26,-190'7.

W. M. SCOTT. COMBINED CONTROLLER AND CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1907.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. SCOT T, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMB INED CONTROLLER AND CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Application filed April 9.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

1907. Serial No. 367249.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. SCOTT, a citizen of the United States, residi at Phil adelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Combined Controller and Circuit- Breaker, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic ma netic circuit breakers in combination wit starting switches, controllers, and the like.

More particularly my invention relates to the" combination of automatic magnetic circuit breakers with circuits or apparatus in which the magnitude of current flow is greater at some periods than others. For example, in the starting of motors, and more especially when starting under load, the current flow during the starting period is greater than the running current or the current flowingafter the motor has attained desired speed. A circuit breaker included in circuit a'nd adjusted torespond to current in excess of the running current would.

respond to the excessivecurrent during the --starting period and so rupture the circuit.

It is the object of my invention, therefore,- to wit a starting like, which-shal period only to current which is excessive rovide a circuit breaker in combination switch, controller, or the respond during the starting when considering starting currents, and

i which shall res ipnd during running period to current'whic V is excessive only as com pared with ru currents.

To this end I ave the circuit breaker latch or trigger under the control of two tripping magnets, each adjusted to different loads or currents, and means provided in the controller or starting switch, or any other switch, for including in circuit during the starting eriod the tripping magnetrespom sive to t e greater current, and for cutting out that magnet and cutt' in-to circuit during the running period ffie magnet adjusted to respond to lesser current.

- My invention herein shown and described is a modification of the rheostat and circuit breaker of U. 8. Patent No. 661,196 granted me November 6, 1900.

My invention resides also in other features I hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

For an illustration of one of the forms my I invention may take, reference is to be had .to the accompanying drawing, in'which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a three-pole circuit breaker, each of two of the poles having associated tri ping magnets Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the'apparatus shown In Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ing a three-phase motor with starting switch or controllercombined with an automatic circuit breaker.

three pairs of main terminal blocks Land 2 bracket 5 at 6.

metallic shunt contacts 7 and 8 and the stationary and movable carbon shuntcontacts 9 and 10 operate in a manner well understood in the art. bracket 5, is an actuator lever 12-having the extension 13 pivoted at'l4 to the linky15,

The three actuators are mechanically connected together-by the connector or bar-17, and the operators handle 18 is secured to the middle actuator 12, whereby all three movable contact members may be operated simultaneously by their respective toggles 13,

5 of the Imddle switch enga es the roller '20 ivoted at 21 in the midd e actuator 12. \&his latch 19 accordingly holds all three con- ;tact members in circuit closing position. The latch 19 has lateral extensions 22 and 23. 'flheextension 23 is actuated by the two tripping magnets associated wit the left hand switch, while the extension 22 is actuated b the two tripping magnets associated with the right hand switch. A description of one pair of magnets will sufiice for both, and for that purpose reference is to be had to Fi 2, where the latch extension 23 is shown to e in the path of travel of the member 24 forming an extension from the armature 25 of the magnet whose pole piece is 26, whose core is 27, and whose winding is 28. The

away from the pole piece-26, so as to respond to difierent current strengths.

Patented Nov. 26,1907.

which, in turn, is pivoted at 16 to the arm 4.."

adjusted to respond to d' erent currents-fled latch. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view show Referring to the drawings, Bis aba se of suitable insulating material such as slategmarble, or the like, upon which are' secured" adapted to be bridged by the laminated movable contact member 3 supported-by,-

but insulated from, the arm 4 pivoted toirthe' r1;

Stationary and movable' e Pivoted at 11, in the 15. A single latch 19 pivoted to the bracket armature 25 is adjustable by screw to or The second tripping ma net comprises the winding 29 surrounding t e core 30 having the ole piece 31. The pivoted armature 32 is adi'ustable to and away from the pole piece 5 31 by the adjusting screw 33, so as to adjust the tripping magnet to respond to different current strengths. A link 34 is pivoted at its lower end to the armature 32 and at its upper end to the armature 25 of' the first tripping magnet. In consequence, when either of the two tripping magnets is sufliciently energized the extension 23 of the latch will be struck or engaged, thus releasi the actuator 12 from the control of the latc 19,

15 allowing the toggles to collapse and the laminated contact members to leave their stationary contact terminals, and later the separation of the metallic shunt contacts, and finally the separation of the carbon contacts at which the final arcing occurs.

Referring to Fig. 4, 35, 36 and 37 constitute the conductors of a three-phase alternating current suppl The circuit breaker with its three mova 1e contact members is shown diagrammatically upon the base B,

and;below the same u on the base C are supported the contacts 0? the starting switch or controller.

In the starti 0 switch or controller is a 80 handle 38 fasten ll upon the insulating bar 39 to which are secured the outer ends of five switch blades 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44, pivoted on the contacts 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49 respectively. The contacts 45, 47 and 49 constitute the terminals of the three conductors 50, 51 and 52', respectively leading to the three-phase alternating current motor M. A three-phase auto-converter or auto-transformer is shown at T, the three windings having a common connection at the center. The outer terminal of the winding 53 is connected by conductor 54 with the contact 48; similarly, the outer terminal of the windi 55 is connected by conductor 56 with the terminal 46, and the outer terminal of the windin 57 is connected by conductor 58 to one terminal of the tripping coil 29 of the right hand switch in the circuit breaker. A connection intermediate the terminals of the winding 53 is made by conductor 59 with the contact 60 on the starting switch or controller. Similarly, an intermediate tap is taken out of the winding by conductor 61 connected to contact 62 on the starti switch; and similarly, a connection is ma e from an intermediate point in the winding 57 by conductor 63 with contact 64 on the starting switch. The trippin coil 29 of the left hand switch of the circuit reaker has one terminal connected to the main contact 2 and its other terminal by means of conductor 65 with the contact 66 on the starti switch. The contact 67 on the starting switch is in electrical communication with the middle contact 68 of the 65 upper row of contacts on the starting switch,

the contact 69 connecting by conductor 70 with one terminal of the tripping coil 28; and the third contact 71 connects by conductor 72 with one terminal of the tripping coil 28 in the right hand switch of the circuit 70 breaker.

The operation is as follows: To start the motor M, the circuit breaker is closed by depressing the operators handle 18 and latchmg the same in position shown in Fig. 2. 75 Then, the handle 38 of the controller or starting switch is thrown into the position shown in Fig. 4, so that the middle row of contacts are thrown into electrical communication with the lower roW of contacts. Current then flows from supply conductor 35 to terminal block 1 of the left hand switch of the circuit breaker, through the bridging contact member 3 to the main contact 2, then throu h the winding 29 of the tripping magnet, thence through conductor 65 to contact 66, to contact 46, to the outer terminal of converter winding 55, thence through conductor 61, contact 62, to contact 45, and through conductor 50 to the motor M. Similarly, current flows from supply conductor 37 through the right hand switch member of the circuit breaker, through the right hand tripping winding 29, conductor 58, to converter winding 57, through conductor 63 to contact 64, to contact 49, through conductor 52 to the motor M. And from the suppl conductor 36, through the middle switc member of the circuit breaker, through conductor 73 to contact 68, to contact 67, to contact 48, through conductor 54, to converter winding 53, thence by conductor 59 to contact 60, to contact 47, thence by conductor 51 to the motor M. With the parts in this position, the motor is subjected to electric pressure less than line pressure and starts Without taking too great a current from the line. With the parts remaining in the position shown, the motor accelerates and the current flowing through it becomes reduced 1 10 in magnitude. The current flow during this starting eriod, however, is in excess of the current owing through the motor when it has attained full speed conditions. If, during this starting period, the current should rise to an abnormal value, as compared with usual starting currents, which are in themselves greater than running currents, the Winding 29, of the left hand pair of tripping coils, for example, when the unusual loading happens to be on that branch, will sufficiently energize its core 30 to attract its armature 32 to actuate the latch 19 to trip the circuit breaker and open all three poles. Because the starting currents are larger than the running currents, the tripping magnet whose winding is 29 is so adjusted that it will res ond only to currents in excess of the allowa le starti currents. The same, of course, is true of t e other tripping magnet whose winding is 29 associated with the .brid 'ng member of the right hand switch mem er. And obviously, if the overloading should oc our in the branch including the ri ht hand switch member, its ma et 29 woul respond to trip the circuit brea er. If neither of the tripping magnets 29 are energized sufiiciently during the starting period to trip the circuit breaker, the motor comes up to considerable speed, whereupon the operator uickly t rows the handle 38 of the control er upwardly and closes the switch in upward position, in which case the contact 45 is put into communication with contact 69; contact 47 with contact 68; and contact 49 with contact 71, contacts 46 and 48 remaining dead. With the parts in such position, the tripping magnets 29, responsive to current in excess of starting currents, have been cut out of circuit and the tripping magnets 28, responsive to currents in excessof runmng currents only,

have been cut in to circuit. The path of current is then simpl from conductor 35, through the left hand switch, its tripping coil 28, conductor 70, contact 69, contact 45, and thence by conductor-50 to the motor M; and from conductor 36 through the middle switch .member, through conductor 73 to contact 68, to contact 47, and thence by conductor 51 to the motor; and from supply conductor 37 through the right hand switch member, through its tripping coil 28, conductor 72, to contact 71, to contact 49, and thence-by conductor 52 to the motor, which is then subjected to full line pressure and then runs at full speed. If for any reason,

the motor should be overloaded or a current in excess of the running current should obtain, either one or the other,'or both of the tripping coils 28 will energize its core 27 and attract its armature 25 to actuate the latch, whereupon the circuit breaker will open at all three oles.

.From t e foregoi description, it is a parent that by means 0 the control switc and the additional trippin magnet, as 29, the system is afforded wit circuit breaker protection thro h the starting period, the adjustment of t e trip ing magnet being such that the circuit brea er will open at an ampere point in excess of the ampere point at which it will open during running period. And during running period the tripping mag- .net res onsive to less current is in circuit. 55

Whi e I have here shown a starting switch or controller associated with an auto-converter, it is to be understood also that the same may be associated with an ordinar starting device, such as a rheostat or .a 'ustable resistance. Furthermore, while I ave here shown an alternating current system, my-invention is applicable equally well to a direct current system. And though I have here shown a circuit breaker with three poles, it is to be understood that my invention is applicable to a circuit breaker with any number of poles, and, in fact, with a single pole as may be well imagined when considering the right or left hand switch only of the circuit breaker as'herein shown.

what I claim is:

1. In combination with a controlling switch, an automatic magnetic breaker, and means controlled by said controlling switch for changing the amperepoint of operation of said circuit breaker, said means comprising independent electromagnetic tripping devic'es, and means'associated with said controlling switch for in cluding said electro-magnetic tripping devices in circuit alternately.

2. The combination with a controller, of a circuit breaker, a pluralityof independent electro magnetic tripping devices each adapted to trip said circuit breaker and each adapted to be adjusted to respond to different current strengths, and contacts in said tripping devices in circuit at different times.

3. The combination with a controller, of a circuit breaker, a plurality of independent electro magnetic tri ping devices, and a contact in said controller for including in circuit during starting period a tripping device responsive to greater current strength, and another contact in said controller for includdevice responsive to less current.

of a motor, a starting switch and circuit breaker associated with said motor, an electro-magnetic tripping device re ponsive to greater current and included in circuit during the period of starting said motor, and another electro-responsive device responsive to less current included in circuit after starting.

of a motor, a starting switch and circuit breaker associated therewith, means in said starting switch for including in circuit during starting period an electro-magnetic trippingv means in said starting switch 'for cutting out said electro-magnetic tripping device after said motor is started and including in circuit another electro-magnetic tripping device responsive to less current.

6. The combination with a polyphase suply circuit, of a polyphase motor, a circuit breaker and a starting switch associated therewith, means in said starting switch for including in one branch of said circuit during starting period an electro-magnetic tripping device responsive to greater current, and means in said starting switch for cutting out said electro-magnetic tripping device and includingin the same branch after the motor is started an electro-magnetic tripping device responsive to less current.

5. The combination with a supply circuit,

circuit controller for including said electro-magnetic mg in circuit after starting period a tripping 4. The combination with a supply circuit,

device responsive to greater current, and

7. The combination with a polyphase supply circuit, of a polyphase motor, a starting switch, a circuit breaker having a contact member in each branch of said circuit, a plurality of electro-magnetic tripping devices associated with each of a plurality of said contact members, one of the electro-magnetic tripping devices associated with a given contact member being responsive to greater current than another associated with the same contact member, and means in said starting switch for including said differentl responsive tripping devices in circuit at di ferent times.

8. In combination, a circuit breaker having a plurality of independent tripping devices responsive to different circuit conditions, and a switch for including circuit any one of said tripping devices.

9. In combination, a circuit breaker comrising a movable contact member, means or restraining said contact member in normal position, a plurality of independent tripplng devices responsive to different loads, and a switch for including in circuit during desired periods any one of said tripping devices.

10. In combination, a circuit breaker having a-pluralityof independent tripping de vices, each adjustable to respond to a predetermined electrical condition, and a switch for including said tripping devices in circuit alternately.

11. In combination, a circuit breaker having a pluralit of independent tripping devices, each a justable 1nde endently of the other or others to respond to any desired electrical condition in the circuit, and a switch Y for including said tripping devices in circuit alternately.

12. In combination, a multi-pole circuit breaker, independent tripping devices associated with each of two or more poles of said breaker, each tri ping device being adjustable independent y of the others to respond to any desired electrical condition, and-a switch for including said tripping devices in circuit alternately.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto WILLIAM M. SCOTT.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, ANNA E. STEINBOOK. 

